Representative Gary Song-Huann Lin of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office said yesterday that Negros Occidental could be another Taiwan and assured Gov. Alfredo Marañon of stronger ties between his country and the province.

In a luncheon meeting with the governor at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City yesterday, Lin said he was amazed at the beauty, wonderful scenery and richness of the province.

“In my whole life I have been searching for paradise. I had found it, the paradise in my heart is actually in this province, the Negros Occidental. I agree with the governor when he mentioned that this could be another Taiwan,” Lin said.

“It brought me back to my childhood, in the countryside where I grew up and I must say that it is much richer here with the land more fertile,” he added.

Lin visited the province to attend the 10th anniversary of the Congregation of St. John the Baptist in Murcia town where it has established a monastery, demo farm, a Catholic school and an Oratorium.

He said the efforts of the congregation showed that, “If we work together, we can make a difference and transcend all cultural differences to achieve a great goal.”

“I can assure the governor that my office will work hard together with him to achieve a prosperous province of Negros Occidental,” the official from the Republic of China said.

Lin also cited the strong relationship between Taiwan and the Philippines, not only in economic trade but also in technology, agriculture, fishery and other commercial enterprises.

“Last year, the investment from Taiwan to the Philippines, all together have reached 3 billion US dollars, and many Taiwanese businessmen consider next year as the year of the Philippines,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marañon said the support of Taiwan is vital to the development of the province, especially in the agriculture sector.

With technology transfer and close relationship between the two governments, they can achieve the dream of transforming Negros Occidental into a mini-Taiwan.

Aside from joining the celebration of Congregation of St. John the Baptist in Murcia, Lin also witnessed the dedication of the congregation’s Oratorium led by Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian and attended by several priests from the Diocese of Bacolod and delegates from Taiwanese community in Canada, New York, Vietnam, and People’s Republic of China.

Also at the celebration were local officials of Murcia led by Mayor Andrew Montelibano and Vice Mayor Gerry Rojas.

Bishop Martin Su from Taichung in Taiwan officiated at the blessing of the Catholic Ming Yuan College that was established by the congregation in the 12-hectare lot donated by the Montelibano family at Hacienda Binitin in Brgy. Blumentritt, Murcia.*NAB

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